MINUTES OF THE

EXECUTIVE OFFICES & CRIMINAL JUSTICE JOINT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 9:00 a.m. - Room 405 State Capitol

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sen. D. Chris Buttars, Co-Chair

Rep. A. Lamont Tyler, Co-Chair

Sen. Alicia Suazo

Rep. Ron Bigelow

Rep. Eric Hutchings

Rep. Paul Ray

Rep. Mike Thompson

MEMBERS ABSENT: Sen. Peter Knudson

MEMBERS EXCUSED: Rep. Scott Daniels

STAFF PRESENT: Mr. William Greer, Senior Fiscal Analyst

Mr. Gary Ricks, Fiscal Analyst

Ms. Cassandra N. Bauman, Legislative Secretary

VISITOR LIST: A list of others present is on file with the subcommittee minutes.

Co-Chair Buttars called the meeting to order at 9:19 a.m.

MOTION: Rep. Tyler moved to approve the minutes of the February 26, 2002 meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Ray and Rep. Thompson absent for the vote.

Mr. Greer distributed information regarding the FY2003 budget. He indicated that the subcommittee is presented with options which could provide additional budget cuts up to 11 percent of the total agency budget. The three lists distributed were reductions prepared 1) with Public Education participating in the reductions; 2) without Public Education participating in the reductions; and 3) a proposed list of reductions presented by Legislative Leadership.

Mr. Greer explained the inter-relationship of the various agencies and local governments. He gave an overview of the reductions and the potential impact on some of the agencies involved. He explained that in some cases, short term cuts may have long term costs.

MOTION: Rep. Tyler moved to recess for the subcommittee members to review the information presented. The motion passed unanimously. The subcommittee recessed at 9:36 a.m.

The subcommittee reassembled at 9:59 a.m. Rep. Tyler assumed position as chair.

Ms. Lynne Ward, Director, Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, explained that the governor's office had already taken a 6.7 percent ongoing cut and cutting further resources would be difficult for maintaining services. She indicated that most of the budget is labor intensive, which the majority of the office activity consists of public services. She stated that 1 to 3 FTE positions may be cut to account for the budget shortages.

Mr. Ed McConkie, Executive Director, Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ), indicated that the CCJJ would have to start dipping into grant money which is not currently being used if the proposed budget cuts are adopted. He explained that CCJJ's duty is to give a perspective on the budget cuts proposed including consequences of the budget reductions. This report should be available to the Legislature shortly.

Mr. Edward T. Alter, Utah State Treasurer, indicated that the $40,000 reduction proposed would be possible. He explained that the additional reduction of 1 FTE would prove difficult because of the functions the Treasurer's Office performs and the limited amount of current personnel in the office.

Mr. Auston Johnson, Utah State Auditor, indicated that 93 percent of the budget for the office is personnel and that any funding reduction will affect employee jobs. He indicated that audits will be delayed, based on the two proposals to reduce 3 FTEs and 5 FTEs.

Mr. Kirk Torgenson, Chief Deputy, Attorney General's Office, indicated that the office is concerned about the proposed budget cuts. He indicated that continuing legal education is necessary to maintain attorney eligibility. He explained that much of the office's budget is staff and approximately 9 FTEs would be cut. He indicated that these cuts would be general fund lawyers, which consists of a very small pool within the Office. Many lawyers are funded through Dedicated Credits, some of which comes from "other" revenue sources.

Mr. Verdi White, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Safety, introduced representation from the Department of Public Safety.

Ms. Paula Kooring, Administrative Coordinator, Department of Public Safety, expressed concern for the proposed cuts. She indicated that the state funding which is cut would permit the federal match funding to be cut as well.

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Duncan, Utah Highway Patrol, responded to questions regarding the impacts of reductions on the Highway Patrol.

Mr. Mike Chabries, Director, Department of Corrections, distributed "Utah Department of Corrections Emergency Budget Reductions." He explained the impact of the budget cuts on corrections services.

Mr. Mike Sibbett, Chair, Board of Pardons, indicated that over the last 12 years, the decisions of the five-member board have increased 439 percent. He explained that, with the issuance of Judge Lindberg's decision that solely judge's can issue arrest warrants, there is increased possibility that parole dates will be delayed and will increase the amount of time each potential parolee is in prison. This could have a negative budget impact on the Department of Corrections.

Mr. Blake Chard, Division of Youth Corrections, indicated that the division works closely with the Department of Human Services and the proposals which are before the subcommittee will tremendously decrease the options for children in youth corrections. He responded to questions.

Mr. Daniel Becker, Administrative Office of the Courts, indicated that the courts budget is almost entirely General Fund. He indicated that the reductions in funding would be mostly personnel. He indicated that the reduction in personnel from the General Session were provided for in attrition, but that was unlikely to be possible for further personnel reduction. He indicated that either of the proposed reductions would result in personnel reductions, either 143.5 at 4.5 percent or 257 at 9 percent, including those reductions made in the 2002 General Session.

Mr. Greer clarified information regarding budget reductions. Subcommittee discussion followed.

Chair Tyler indicated the additional percent reduction for each agency:

Executive Offices of Criminal Justice (Overall) 3.68%

Attorney General 4.75%

Courts 4.29%

Department of Public Safety 2.07%

Division of Youth Corrections 8.72%

Auditor 4.75%

Treasurer 4.75%

Board of Pardons 9.00%

Governor's Office 4.75%

Department of Corrections 1.51%

He indicated that the summary total of all of the Subcommittee agencies is a reduction of 3.68 percent.

MOTION: Rep. Bigelow moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars and Sen. Suazo absent for the vote.

Co-Chair Tyler adjourned the meeting at 11:10 a.m.

______________________________ ___________________________________

Senator D. Chris Buttars, Co- Chair Representative A. Lamont Tyler, Co-Chair